chosen ABB's SVC Light for a key substation in Austin, Texas. Zero environmental impact — imperceptible, inaudible — was the customer's demand for this US$ 14 million investment.

Austin Energy generates and sells more kilowatts of green power than any other utility in the United States, and has one of the strongest environmental profiles in the U.S. power industry.

With a strong brand image to protect, Austin Energy is keen to extend its green profile into transmission and other aspects of its activities.

“When Austin Energy selected ABB for a STATCOM [static compensator] solution based on our patented SVC Light technology, environmental considerations were a key factor,” says Conny Wahlberg of ABB Power Technologies.

“The plant was to have a very small footprint and merge esthetically with its surroundings. It was to be practically invisible and completely silent. No one was to notice it.”

Generator shutdown

Significantly, ABB's STATCOM solution will enable Austin Energy to shut down a power generator in midtown Austin that is large, slow, and expensive to maintain.

SVC Light is part of ABB's complete range of FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems) products - technologies that enhance the safety, capacity and flexibility of power transmission systems.

Benton Wilcoxon, Chairman of CTC, said, “We are excited by the opportunity to work closely with Aquila as we kick-off the first commercial application for our transmission lines. We are confident in our ability to generate greater acceptance and utilization of our commercial transmission lines as we expand throughout the United States and abroad.”